Reviewing a Scary Book — 12:19 | Michael Infinito, author

Michael Infinitohas moved swiftly to establish his position as an author with this second novel. As you read, you follow the investigators through the maze to learn the significance of the message “12:19″ and learn of their spiritual conditioning and stamina…some have enough.

12:19 was labeled ‘horror’ and it lives up to the promise. Infinito writes a different point of view for the battle between good and evil, not explaining too much, so the reader isn’t really sure where the bad guys are hiding until Michael is ready. By that time, you’re going to just be peaking for one more page to see where the story really goes. Micheal sets characters as pieces of the puzzle, some are larger pieces, some are corners and edges while others are the inner connecting parts of the puzzle.

12:19 is particularly scary on various levels. There was a time when I was ready to say “Too much.” and quit reading, but that seemed like a cop-out for the characters who had to stay and either live with their fate or change it. I don’t usually choose horror but am lightly acquainted with the author, so when he brought up the possibility of a review, I figured it would be good just to see if this guy had something going.

The book intends, IMO, to test the reader’s spiritual depth and maturity. Infinito makes no effort to make evil even moderately sympathetic; good has a serious battle on the various levels of heaven to win out. So, where are you? WARNING: 12:19 is not for the faint of heart. A scary, spiritual book that isn’t written by — or to be read by — goody-two-shoes. The profanity and prurient parts would warm the cockles of a gangsta’s heart. But the story is there and it flows through the crevasses of terror in proper order. There are some structural writing things that I look for in a book as I either enjoy or am terrorized by the story. When these elements are in place, they help create the art for me that pleases me as I read. Often a responsible editor is quite influential in the presence of these elements. 12:19 meets my measurements.

So, thank you, Michael, for asking me to review your book. If you hadn’t brought it up, I wouldn’t have come to the party.